Saint Thomas Health On Demand provides access to medical care via smartphone, tablet or computer

Saint Thomas Health, a part of Ascension, the nation's largest Catholic and non-profit health system, announced it has opened Saint Thomas Health On Demand, a new virtual clinic that provides 24/7 access to health care.

Saint Thomas Health On Demand allows patients to receive high-quality care in a virtual clinic, wherever they are in Tennessee, using a smartphone, tablet or computer.

For a flat fee of $49, patients will be able to receive virtual urgent care services any time of day or night, including diagnosis, prescriptions and opportunities to conveniently set up follow-up appointments at any Saint Thomas Medical Partners location in Middle Tennessee. Saint Thomas Health On Demand will be an extension of the Saint Thomas Health network, continuing to provide high-quality health care for its patients.

"Listening to our patients, we continue to ask ourselves how we can bring Saint Thomas Health closer to home," said Fahad Tahir, President & CEO for Saint Thomas Medical Partners. "In addition to our physician practices in neighborhoods and communities across Middle Tennessee, we are pleased to offer an online tool providing even easier access to health care for our patients without ever having to leave their home or work."

Saint Thomas Health On Demand is built on Carena's Virtual Clinic Platform that includes software, staffing and operations services. It is fully integrated into Saint Thomas Health's clinic-based care delivery system. The clinicians working in the virtual clinic will follow Saint Thomas Health practice guidelines to ensure patients receive high-quality, evidence-based care. The virtual clinic helps current Saint Thomas Health patients stay in-network for continuous care, and helps new patients connect to a Saint Thomas Health provider after their virtual visit.

"We are pleased to partner with Saint Thomas Health to offer patients new options for getting their care needs met," said Ralph C. Derrickson, President and CEO for Carena. "Saint Thomas Health On Demand uses our technology to put its brand online where it is most accessible to consumers, while offering patients an exceptional care experience from a health care system they know and trust."

Patients can access this service today by visiting www.STHealth.com/OnDemand